ICAP Colfax Marathon Fundraiser

RUNNING THE COLFAX MARATHON FOR ICAP

The University of Denver is excited to join the 2026 Denver Colfax Marathon as an official charity partner to raise funds and awareness for the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs! Help us cheer on our runners by making a gift in their honor and/or get out your running shoes and join us on the trail for any of the race options (click for registration details)! The Colfax Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Runners can choose between the full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), urban 10 miler, Colfax 5K, or marathon relays (open division, government, schools, or corporate). There will be a two-day expo at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday and Saturday. The 5K Kickoff will be on Saturday, May 16th, and the main Race Day will be on Sunday, May 17th for the Marathon, Half Marathon, Urban 10 Miler, and Marathon Relay (Corporate, Government, Public Schools, and Open Relay Divisions).

WHY RUN FOR ICAP?

Our lead runner, ICAP Fellow '24 Andrea Cristancho, is kicking things off as our inaugural runner. Thank you, Andrea! Here's why she's running the full marathon for ICAP:

When I served as a Foreign Service Officer for USAID, I was introduced to the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), an extraordinary leadership community that I was honored to be accepted into and later join as a fellow. Becoming part of ICAP connected me to a network of principled leaders from all walks of life who are committed to public service, global engagement, and institutional integrity. And as many of us in foreign aid know, 2025 was a profoundly challenging year; one that left many navigating uncertainty, transition, and questions about the future. Returning to the U.S., I felt the ground shift beneath me, and I knew I needed to channel that moment into something that reconnected me with my core values: service, community, and courage.

I chose to run a marathon and raise money for ICAP, despite not being a runner, because ICAP had pushed me to stretch, to speak up, to trust my impact, and to imagine a future bigger than any setback. Taking on a marathon mirrors that same stretch: bold, uncomfortable, and transformative. This run is my way of turning gratitude into action; channeling every mile into tangible support for a community that invests in emerging talent from every corner of our field, builds belonging, and strengthens the future of international affairs. It is a commitment from both my heart and my body to a mission I deeply believe in.

ABOUT ICAP

ICAP is a premier professional development and leadership initiative for mid-career professionals in international affairs. Since its founding by former Korbel Dean Dr. Tom Rowe in 1997, the program has helped more than 900 Fellows grow their careers, and many move into senior roles across government, non-profit, and private sectors. It is a program of the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver.

Support Needed: Due to significant federal funding cuts, many organizations that have historically covered the expenses for their mid-career professionals to attend ICAP no longer have the financial means. More than ever, your philanthropic support is essential to ensuring these rising stars are supported as they navigate an ever-changing professional landscape. Curious why our initial goal is $22K? That's the cost of attendance for two Fellows! Thank you for supporting ICAP and its growing community.

PROGRAM GOALS

The International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) advances the professional and personal growth of mid-career leaders in international affairs through reflection, dialogue, and mentorship. ICAP’s primary goals are to:

• Provide a trusted environment for dialogue
• Promote reflection and renewal
• Build lasting connections and a lifelong network
• Engage distinguished mentors and advisors
• Strengthen leadership capacity and professional reach
• Refine career direction and purpose
• Enhance leadership awareness and adaptability
• Deepen understanding of key policy issues

GIVING IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF SOMEONE SPECIAL

Want the runner you support to know you've made a gift in their honor e.g. Andrea Cristancho, or program staff e.g. Dr. Tom Rowe? Or perhaps you'd like to give in memory of someone who has passed e.g. Emita Samuels. You'll be able to indicate this on the page after submitting your credit card info.

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE

Monthly Recurring
At checkout, you may choose to pledge your support with an ongoing monthly recurring gift. If you don't add an end date, the amount of one monthly gift will be added to the campaign total. If you'd like to pledge by making monthly payments over a set amount of time e.g. one year (with a set end date), the full total of the pledge will be added to the campaign total. Small gifts add up over time and are greatly appreciated!

Bequests or Planned Gifts
Legacy gifts like estate giving, income gifts, IRA rollovers, charitable lead trusts, and real estate provide innovative ways for you to support our next generation of Fellows. Learn more here.

GIVING PER MILE/KILOMETER
Here's an easy reference for those wishing to sponsor a runner per mile.

Marathon Runner or Relay
$1 per mile sponsor: $26.20
$10 per mile sponsor: $262
$40 per mile sponsor: $1,048
$100 per mile sponsor: $2,620

Half Marathon
$10 per mile sponsor: $131
$40 per mile sponsor: $524
$100 per mile sponsor: $1,310

Urban 10 Miler
$10 per mile sponsor: $100
$50 per mile sponsor: $500
$100 per mile sponsor: $1,000

5K
$20 per kilometer sponsor: $100
$100 per kilometer sponsor: $500
$200 per kilometer sponsor: $1,000